What’s at stake in this race

Although terms are up for two out of the five seats on the Orange County Board of Education, voters will be asked to vote on only one this June — the Area 5 seat. We’ll explain why in a moment.

The Orange County Board of Education has been at the forefront of several political debates, including masks in schools and how issues of race and identity should be taught. Members of the board, which has the power to approve charter school applications, also have been largely supportive of charter schools.

What does the O.C. Board of Education do?: 

The five trustees who make up the board are elected every four years in the primary cycle — meaning they get elected in June, not November. Their duties include:

• Serving as an appeals committee for students who want to transfer districts and for students who are expelled.
• Ruling on charter school appeals. 
• Approving the county Department of Education’s budget. 
• Setting the county superintendent’s salary. 
• Approving the purchases and sales of property for the department.

Here are some things the O.C. Board of Education doesn't do:

The Orange County Board of Education doesn’t govern local school districts, which have the power to hire their superintendents, set policies and develop curricula.

What exactly the countywide board should do has been a point of contention. The California state auditor launched an audit of the board this year after state Sen. Tom Umberg of Santa Ana requested it.

“The people of Orange County deserve transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Umberg said. “For years, serious concerns have been raised about the board’s governance, litigation practices and policy decisions.”

Fast facts about the O.C. Board of Education:

• The Area 5 seat will be the only seat on the ballot this year. It includes the south Orange County cities of Laguna Niguel and Lake Forest, as well as Huntington Beach. 
• The Area 2 trustee seat is up for election, but incumbent Mari Barke is running unopposed. Because no one had requested an election, she will be automatically appointed and not on the ballot. 
• Being a trustee is not a full-time job. Each board member gets $562.61 for attending the board meetings each month, as well as paid benefits, including medical, dental and life insurance.
• The board sued the state over a mask mandate and the state of emergency during the pandemic and has been involved in other litigation.

What it takes to win:

The top two candidates in the June primary will face off in the November general election, unless a contender gets more than 50% of the votes, at which point the race will be called. With just two candidates on the ballot, it is likely this race will be decided in the June primary.

The candidates for O.C. Board of Education, Trustee Area 5:

Lisa Sparks, incumbent

Lisa Sparks is the incumbent. She’s a professor at Chapman University and founding dean of the School of Communication. She was first elected to the county Board of Education in 2018.

In her own words

What is your experience with public education?

I am a mother of three children educated across the Orange County public school system and have taught at several public institutions, including George Mason University, University of Texas, San Antonio, and have taught and lectured at public institutions across the world (e.g., Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, France, etc.). As such, I have a deep understanding of different cultural approaches to public school systems that lift students up to mastering the subject matter, which leads to successful learning experiences and better learning outcomes.

Who or what had the biggest impact on your K-12 education?

My dedicated K-12 teachers who lifted me up over the years and created safe and efficacious learning environments that guided me to thrive and ultimately have the confidence and tenacity to obtain my Ph.D. in behavioral sciences focusing on health communication and aging issues that impact families deeply. These early mentors set me up for success as a scholar-teacher to go on to publish more than 13 books and 150-plus research publications in my areas of expertise.

If elected, what is your top priority? How will you address this priority? What will accountability look like?

My experience leading a comprehensive college at Chapman University prepared me to guide the Orange County Department of Education by providing oversight for my top priorities consisting of balanced budgets, strengthening fiscal accountability and increasing curricular excellence.

I strongly support our public education system — including both community and public charter schools — by advocating for efficient policies, responsible fiscal decisions and putting resources directly into classrooms.

As community members, our duty is to teach children to think critically, read, write and analyze. Parents and students are often stressed and frustrated with their K-12 experiences, and these challenges must be addressed with thoughtful, systematic solutions.

What specific criteria will you use when evaluating applications for charter schools?

Public charter school applications must be fiscally and academically sound to set up the students for a successful and rewarding experience that will provide a solid foundation for their future, whether it is technical or trade school or a community college or university.

More broadly, how would you characterize the roles of charter schools in the public education system?

Public charter schools can provide a different and more flexible learning environment for students and families who may not be thriving in their local district school. Often, charter schools focus on some specialized aspect of education that the local public school does not provide such as specialty in the arts, languages, STEM, etc.

How would you explain to voters what the role of the county board is?

The role of OCBE is to provide oversight for balanced budgets, strengthening fiscal accountability and increasing curricular excellence.

I strongly support our public education system — including both community and public charter schools — by advocating for efficient policies, responsible fiscal decisions and putting resources directly into classrooms.

More voter resources:

• Website: sparksforschools.com
• Full endorsements list here.

Go deeper: 

• Video explaining the role of county education departments

Jason Sams, college board adviser

Jason Sams

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Courtesy Jason Sams

)

Jason Sams is a business and education consultant who’s lived in south Orange County for eight years. He currently serves as an advisory board member at Roosevelt University’s College of Humanities and Education and Social Services in Chicago and an advisory committee member for Eden SMG Housing, an organization based in Redlands.

In his own words

What is your experience with public education?

I have a 12-year-old son who is currently obtaining public school education.

Who or what had the biggest impact on your K-12 education?

My first-grade teacher had a huge impact on my K-12 education. Also, my parents’ dedication to education had a huge impact on my K-12 education.

If elected, what is your top priority? How will you address this priority? What will accountability look like?

First priority is addressing the deficit. Second, secure special education services for special needs. Thirdly, I will create protection and mentally healthy space for all youth. I will work with county, state and federal departments and build relationships that can provide facilitation of federal funds. This can be done by petitioning courts and governing bodies to hear budgetary issues, special needs issues and services. Accountability will highlight the laws, which if enforced, will create conversation and voting movement among board members thereby provoking action among inactivity.

What specific criteria will you use when evaluating applications for charter schools?

I will utilize criteria such as what type of credentialing exists for teachers and staff within the charter program? What kind of internal controls currently exist within charter management, which can work to prevent self-dealing and fiscal irresponsibility? Lastly, in what ways do charter schools decrease homeowner value?

More broadly, how would you characterize the roles of charter schools in the public education system?

Charter schools resulted from the Orange County Board of Education not successfully securing funds from the federal government 25 years ago. This led to massive debt and decreased services to special needs youth. As a result, parents began looking for other options to provide services for their children.

How would you explain to voters what the role of the county board is?

Members of the public may address the Board of Education regarding any agenda and/or off-agenda items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board of Education. The board approves annual budgets of the Orange County Department of Education, maintaining an awareness of the operations and financial conditions of the school districts in Orange County, and it serves as an appellate system for the adjudication of expulsion appeals.

More voter resources:

• Website: JasonSamsOCBE.com

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